LOCAL

Keating Not in Compromising Mood on 4x4
Nickles Says Social Security Clinton’s Chance for Legacy
Nearly News
OSU Professor To Direct Playhouse Production Here
WalkAmerica March of Dimes Prepares Annual Event May 8
Oscar Nominee Paltrow Starring In ‘Shakespeare in Love’ at Poncan
The Winning Lottery Ticket Shows at Poncan Theatre
Delta Company Welcomes Four New Members

Keating Not in Compromising Mood on 4x4

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Frank Keating pitched his education agenda before the Oklahoma Press Association today, saying he was not in the mood to compromise on his 4-by-4 core curriculum plan.

‘‘I would hope not,’’ the Republican governor said about the possibility of a compromise with the Democratic majority in the Legislature on his proposal to require all high school students to take four years each of English, math, science and social studies before graduating.

‘‘The right thing to do is to raise the bar and make things tough,’’ Keating said.

On other subjects, Keating left the door open for funding the REAP program, which makes grants to rural communities for water and sewer projects, and defended the idea of selling state lodges.

Keating’s 4-by-4 plan was defeated in a House committee and significantly watered down before being passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee this week.

Some lawmakers say the plan is too costly at this time; others say it is too restrictive and counterproductive.

As to whether it would cause harm to the state’s vo-tech system, Keating said those students could take applied courses such as computer math to meet the core requirements.

Most other students would be required to take either trigonometry or calculus in order to graduate, according Floyd Coppedge, Keating’s education secretary.

Some legislators have suggested a compromise 4-3-3-3 plan. Others, including House Speaker Loyd Benson, D-Frederick, want to offer incentives — including two years of free tuition — to encourage students to take tougher curriculums.

Keating predicted ‘‘some real scalding debate’’ in the Legislature this year as leaders seek ways to improve schools. He said better schooled students and more college graduates are the keys to improving Oklahoma’s low standing in per capital income.

‘‘Oklahoma is too good to be so poor,’’ he said.

He said he strongly supports the REAP program, but left it out of his budget because there were several projects in the pipeline and it is a tough budget year, partly because of a $29 million oil tax relief package approved at a special session earlier this month.

The Equalization Board earlier this week upped its estimate of revenues by $29 million and Keating indicted a willingness to consider some of that money for REAP.

Keating said state lodges and golf courses need to be sold or at least turned over to private management since they are losing money and the state can’t afford to keep them up.

He again compared Texoma State Lodge to ‘‘a North Korean Resort,’’ saying the structure made no sense, with no windows to take advantage of its location on the lake.

He said it is embarrassing that the lodge is in such bad repair, with paint flaking off a fish sign in front of the building.

‘‘I mean, that’s bush league,’’ he said.

He said feasibility studies would help determine what to do with each facility, but said Quartz Mountain State Lodge probably should not be sold because of recent state expenditures on capital improvements.

Nickles Says Social Security Clinton’s Chance for Legacy

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Sen. Don Nickles says it’s time to shore up the Social Security system before the federal retirement account starts experiencing a negative cash flow.

Nickles said by finding solutions now, not only will Americans benefit, but President Clinton might inherit a new legacy.

‘‘We really don’t have any choice,’’ Nickles said Thursday. ‘‘It’s got a problem coming. Time to solve that is now.’’

The Oklahoma Republican said that he accepted the role as chairman of the subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy because the Social Security trust fund will start to experience a negative cash flow in 14 years.

‘‘If he wants to leave a legacy other than the scandals, let’s do something that really saves Social Security,’’ he said.

Clinton’s plan is to use surpluses to pay back public debt, which economists say would put government finances on a stronger footing with a boost to the economy and lower interest payments.

Using that as collateral, Clinton would place new IOUs in the trust fund, expecting to keep it healthy for about 20 years longer than now expected.

‘‘The way we pay off old IOUs is making more IOUs,’’ Nickles said. He said it wouldn’t work.

Nickles said a solution now will eliminate the need for more tax increases and benefit reductions to help Social Security. He said payroll taxes are already too high and he wants to try to give people more money in their pocket.

One idea to help partially fund the trust is to allow people the option to set up personal Social Security accounts with a percentage of their taxed wages that are only accessible to the individual.

By starting now, Nickles believes Social Security will be protected from further political funding measures.

Another priority Nickles has for the 106th Congress includes reducing dependence on foreign oil.

‘‘An oil glut is driving Oklahoma producers out of business and undermining U.S. national security interests,’’ he said. ‘‘The administration needs to change this policy now.’’

Nickles also has a problem with the way the president is using military forces in foreign affairs, especially in Kosovo.

‘‘I am concerned that there’s a lack of a defined military objective and an exit strategy,’’ he said. ‘‘I think once we go in, we’ll be stuck.’’

Nickles said he is concerned that the president is making the military into a ‘‘peace corps with M-16s.’’

‘‘We’re an expensive police force,’’ he said. ‘‘Our forces are trained to win battles.’’

Nearly News

NN has another double banana customer following yesterday’s Nearly News. It seems Robert Palmer also received one of the “special bananas” from Miller Market this week. It was so interesting to Robert, he failed to eat it, and it has gotten soft and the peeling has turned brown — but is still an object of fascination, he told NN.

Nearly News has learned that Henry Spears’ collection of arrowheads will be featured on Gaylen Culver’s segment of “Is It a Great State Or What” during the 5 p.m. Channel 4 News today. Spears collection numbers approximately 1,000 with all but a handful of his arrowheads being collected in Osage and Kay Counties.

Nearly News has been asked to relay that the Ponca City Area Chamber Orchestra and Civic Center Concert scheduled for Tuesday evening, Feb. 23, has been canceled. Future concerts are in the planning and will be announced later.

NN has an interesting note from Lynda Rogers. It seems she was reading the newest Thomas Perry best-seller, “The Face Changers,” and came across an interesting mention of Ponca City. The novel’s protagonist, Jane Whitefield, makes a list of the events she will attend during the month of August, in an effort to misdirect the people who are following her. On the list, which appears on page 157 of the novel, is “Ponca Indian Fair and Powwow, Ponca City, Oklahoma.” NN understands from Lynda that Perry’s novels immediately jump to the top ten following publication, so the mention of the Ponca Powwow and Ponca City will get some much-deserved recognition throughout the country. Linda points out the book is published by Random House, New York. NN thanks Linda for the interesting tidbit about Ponca City.

OSU Professor To Direct Playhouse Production Here

Jeffrey Stephens, Oklahoma State University adjunct assistant professor of theater, is currently in Ponca City to direct the Ponca Playhouse production “The Curious Savage.” Stephens is an in the honors program at OSU.

Stephens holds a PhD in Theater from Ohio State University and his prior teaching experiences include Northern Illinois University and DePaul University where he taught dramatic literature.

Most recently Stephens directed “Apocalyptic Butterflies” at the Town and Gown Theatre in Stillwater and has numerous other directing credits in Chicago, at Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University.

Stephens has also worked non-professionally as a stage manager in various Chicago theaters including the Organic, Turn Around, and Stage Left. Before taking part in Town and Gown’s “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” he last appeared on stage as “Andrei” in Chekov’s “Three Sisters” at Footsteps Theatre in Chicago.

Production dates for “The Curious Savage,” a delightful mid-century comedy are March 5-7, 12-13. The production will also be presented March 20 at the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association Festival of Plays in Lawton. Commercial Federal Bank is corporate sponsor for “Curious Savage.”

WalkAmerica March of Dimes Prepares Annual Event May 8

Kristi Suttles, chair of WalkAmerica; Stephanie Soucek, division director of the March of Dimes; Tom Leonard, mayor and honorary chair of WalkAmerica; and Ray Stiles, manager of Kmart, National Team for WalkAmerica are joining forces and asking volunteers across the Ponca City area to join the nation’s biggest walking event to help babies and their parents.

The 29th annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica to raise funds to prevent birth defects and infant deaths will kickoff with a team captains’ luncheon at noon Thursday at the Fourth Street Clubhouse, and the celebration of walk day will take place Saturday, May 8, with Ponca City residents participating at Lake Ponca Shelter House No. 3.

The theme for WalkAmerica again urges every volunteer to join the “March of Miracles” — for their own child or grandchild, a pregnant friend, a coworker’s premature baby, or a niece or nephew — to give every baby a better chance for a healthy start in life.

“Every volunteer who raises money in WalkAmerica is not just making a real difference for one baby, but ultimately for every baby born in this country,” said Soucek. “Funds raised in WalkAmerica support lifesaving research and community programs here in Ponca City.”

Walkers raise money by asking friends, family members, business associates and neighbors to make a donation. To walk or volunteer for WalkAmerica, call Suttles at 762-4445 or Soucek at (580) 242-4631.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Through its Campaign for Healthier Babies, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy.

Oscar Nominee Paltrow Starring In ‘Shakespeare in Love’ at Poncan

She just won a Golden Globe for the Best Performance by an Actress. Now she’s nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. But Gwyneth Paltrow, as mature and polished a young performer as you will ever see, won’t let it go to her head. She has a long history around the creme-de-la-creme of the performing arts industry, and she knows what things are important. Gwyneth Paltrow stars in “Shakespeare in Love,” currently showing at the Poncan Theatre on Grand.

Paltrow, a 25-year-old, was also expected to receive a nomination for “Emma,” the film that catapulted her to international stardom. “It’s wonderful to be acknowledged,” she said later.

But “it’s not about winning. You should be happy with the work that you’ve done, and making the people you love proud. The other part is gravy if it happens.” Charming, mature, and wonderfully unlike a celebrity — that’s Gwyneth Paltrow.

This year, her chances at an Oscar have improved. Janet Maslin, one of the most powerful critics in the country, writes that Paltrow “makes a heroine so breathtaking that she seems utterly plausible as the playwright’s guiding light.” And she’s not talking about just any playwright.

She’s talking about William Shakespeare, the “other” character of “Shakespeare in Love.”

“Paltrow really does seem to warrant the most timeless love poems,” she says. Maslin marvels that Paltrow speaks Shakespeare’s own “elegant” language “with astonishing ease.”

Paltrow comes by her talents honestly. She is the daughter of one of America’s finest and most beloved actresses, Blythe Danner. Her father is an esteemed producer, Bruce Paltrow, who produced “St. Elsewhere,” among others. As a 5-year-old, she did a walk-on in a play with her famous mother. Over the years, she graduated to increasingly larger roles. She even received some critical acclaim playing opposite her mother. But she decided to became a model. And she became an art history student at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

But then Stephen Spielberg happened along. Paltrow and her father went to the movies to see “Silence of the Lambs” with pal Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw. Standing in line outside the film, Spielberg offered Paltrow a role in “Hook.” She took it. She would play the young Wendy. From that point, Paltrow’s opportunities blossomed. She was a frightened student in “Malice,” James Caan’s girlfriend in “Flesh and Bone,” a toady in “Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle,” the president’s daughter in “Jefferson in Paris,” and she gave a celebrated performance in the hard edged “Seven.” And the successes continued. Patrons of the Poncan have seen her in “Emma” in 1996 and in “A Perfect Murder” and “Sliding Doors” in 1998.

In “Shakespeare in Love,” Paltrow is among truly great actors, such as Judi Densch and Geoffrey Rush. And she holds her own. The New York Newsday calls it “the year’s best picture, a picture of perfection.” Entertainment Weekly says “Shakespeare” is “the richest and most satisfying romantic movie of the year. Best of all is Gwyneth Paltrow, who at long last has a movie to star in that’s as radiant as she is.”

“Shakespeare in Love” is nominated for 13 Oscars, including Best Film, Best Actress, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor, director, screenplay, costumes, makeup, and others. The film is rated R. For show times, call the Poncan Theatre at 580-765-0943.

The Winning Lottery Ticket Shows at Poncan Theatre

“Waking Ned Devine,” a rare “movie treat” and “a sly but shining gem” about winning the lottery, starts today at the Poncan Theatre on Grand. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “this one’s so much fun it’s worth taking the whole family.”

The scene is in a tiny town in Ireland, where one of the townsfolk has won the Irish National Lottery. The problem is, everybody in town knows everybody else, and nobody’s talking. A couple of young men, Jackie and Michael, hatch a plan to find out who the newly wealthy citizen is. Perhaps — just thinkin’, mind you — perhaps the fortune could be spread around the whole town.

So the two plan a big party at the local pub. They pull every trick in the book to find out the mysterious new millionaire. But no luck. At the end of the evening, Jackie and Michael are out a bunch of money for the beer, down on their luck, and they’re a little bit snockered. But Annie, Jackie’s wife, suddenly realizes something. One of the inhabitants of the tiny town is missing. Ned Devine wasn’t there.

So the three traipse over to Ned’s house. He doesn’t answer the door. When they push inside, they find the reason. Ned is laying out in rigor mortis with the lottery ticket clutched in his death grip. Apparently the victim of overwhelming shock at the moment he realized his own good fortune, you see. Well, he must have died happy.

Now the three connive to put this unfortunate turn of events to a good-natured use. It wouldn’t be Christian to let the fortune go unused, now would it? And Ned didn’t have descendants. So they take the ticket. Which is all fine and good until the Lottery Commission begins to get a sniff of the situation. From there the film picks up momentum and energy, and the critics love it.

“Ned Devine” is “wonderfully playful,” says Boxoffice Magazine. It’s “a charming film,” says the Chronicle. It’s “delightful,” writes the New York Times. The hilarious film is particularly famous for a scene in which a bunch of elderly townsfolk ride their bicycles nude, away from the camera. And it’s funny that the decedent isn’t really dead. There are “wonderful performances,” writes Janet Maslin.

The writing and directing “are both on target,” writes Boxoffice, and there are “some memorably enchanting characters who are brought to vivid life by the talented cast. Like Ned’s ticket, this one’s a winner.”

“Waking Ned Devine,” rated PG, is showing at the Poncan Theatre on Grand. For show times, patrons may call the Poncan at 580-765-0943.

Delta Company Welcomes Four New Members

Delta Company 1-179 of the Oklahoma Army National Guard held its monthly drill the weekend of Feb. 6 and 7 at the Ponca City and Tonkawa armories.

The drill consisted of TOW weapons Table IV training and the issuing of new equipment on Saturday and maintenance of equipment and physical training on Sunday.

New members of Delta Company for the month of February were Justin Duncan of Ponca City; Clarence Shear of Ponca City; and Travis Neal, son of Curt and Debbie Neal, of Ponca City. Also joining the company was Chris Riddle, Marine Corps veteran from Ponca City.

Any high school junior or senior interested in participating in the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Free Tuition for College program should contact Staff Sgt. Keith Stevens at 762-2229, or stop by the armory and visit with him. The armory is located at 1015 West South Avenue in Ponca City.

DEATHS

Linda Kay Goins
Kittie E. Rustenbach
Mary Jane Hazelbaker
Etta Irene Van Hoy
Patsy Daniel
Velma C. Fisher
Howard F. Nicolaysen
Gina Padgett

Linda Kay Goins

NORMAN — Linda Kay Goins, cousin of Neil Foster, Ponca City, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 1999, at the Fairchild Center in Billings, Okla. She was 58.

Committal for Ms. Goins was to be at 2 p.m. today, Feb. 19, 1999, at the Norman IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Sisson Funeral Home of Billings, Okla.

Linda Kay Goins was born Dec. 3, 1940. She had been a resident of the Fairchild Center in Billings, Okla. for many years.

Survivors include two cousins, Neil Foster of Ponca City and Becky Bernard of Reno, Nev.

Kittie E. Rustenbach

WICHITA, Kan. — Kittie Emma Rustenbach, former Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999 in Ponca City. She was 92.

The funeral will be held at the Old Mission Mortuary chapel in Wichita, Kan., at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, with the Rev. Jerry Milleson as officiant. Burial will be in the Old Mission Cemetery in Wichita. Friends may visit at the chapel until 8 p.m. today.

Kittie E. (McAllister) Rustenbach was born April 25, 1906, in Spivey, Kan., the youngest of 11 children born to John and Emma (Flood) McAllister. She was married to Fred C. Rustenbach and the couple moved to the Ponca City area in the early 1950s. Mrs. Rustenbach was a homemaker. She had been a resident of Sterling House in Ponca City before her death.

Survivors include two daughters, Barbara McAuley of Wichita, Kan., and Gloria Downing of Hesperia, Calif.; three sisters, Allie Friend of Wichita, Lura Hall of Howard, Kan., and Lillian Washburn of Cleveland, Okla.; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband in October 1986; her parents; and seven brothers and sisters.

Mary Jane Hazelbaker

FAIRFAX — Mary Jane Hazelbaker, longtime Fairfax resident, died Wednesday night, Feb. 17, 1999, at her home. She was 73.

A Rosary Service will be held at 7 p.m. today, at the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home Chapel in Fairfax. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Ken Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Fairfax Cemetery.

Mary Jane Hazelbaker was born May 3, 1925, in Pawhuska to David Smith and Ann Eleanor (Woodring) Black. She attended Pawhuska schools, graduating from Pawhuska High School.

She was married to Ed Hazelbaker on July 11, 1945, in Pawhuska. Mrs. Hazelbaker was owner and operator of the Beauty Mart beauty shop in Fairfax. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Altar Society, Hominy War Mothers and the Birthday Club. She enjoyed quilting, reading, playing cards and serving others.

Survivors include a son, Ted Hazelbaker Jr.; four daughters, Mrs. Leo (Judy) Johnson, Mrs. Curtis (Davy) Watts, Chris Johnston and Mrs. Dennis (Theresa) Hutcheson, all of Fairfax; one sister, Kathleen Black of Oklahoma City; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 28, 1995; her parents; two sisters, Betty Brunt and Joan Marckesoni; and one brother, Dave Black.

Casket bearers will be Casey Johnson, Scott Johnson, Tim Watts, Jeff Watts, John Watts, Hank Johnston and Larry Hutcheson.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Hazelbaker’s name to Sacred Heart Catholic Church Kitchen Fund, 333 South Eighth Street, Fairfax, OK 74637 or to the Fairfax Public Library, 158 East Elm Street, Fairfax, OK 74637.

The family will be at the Hazelbaker home to receive friends and family.

Obituaries

Etta Irene Van Hoy

NEWKIRK — Etta Irene Van Hoy, longtime Newkirk resident, died Wednesday night, Feb. 17, 1999, at Sterling House in Arkansas City, Kan. She was 90.

The funeral has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Newkirk First United Methodist Church with Dr. William R. Chace officiating. Burial is to follow in the Braman Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.

Etta Irene Van Hoy was born March 2, 1908, on the family farm near Dilworth, the daughter of Jesse Leroy and Anna Louise (Grell) Shurtz. She grew up on the farm and attended school at Dilworth.

On Sept. 25, 1926, she and Archie C. Van Hoy were married in Dilworth. They established their first home in Dilworth, where her husband built a garage, filling station and a lean-to for their first home. They moved to Newkirk in 1940, later moving to Kansas and Braman before returning to Newkirk in 1946. During this time she taught piano lessons in her home as well as traveling to her student’s homes. Mr. Van Hoy died May 2, 1952.

After her husband’s death, Mrs. Van Hoy moved to Wellington, where she worked in a grocery store. She later made her home in Arkansas City, where she worked in Newman’s Department Store for several years. She eventually returned to Newkirk where she lived until 1998, when she moved to Sterling House in Arkansas City.

She was a member of the First Untied Methodist Church in Newkirk for more that 50 years. She was also a member of United Methodist Women and the Over “60” Club. She had served as a Fuller Brush district representative for many years. She enjoyed genealogy studies, knitting afghans and traveling.

She is survived by one son, Gale Elton Van Hoy of Dickinson, Texas; one brother, Tyrus Shurtz of Springfield, Mo.; four sisters, Mrs. Wilda Rice of Wichita, Kan., Mrs. Delorous Hornsby of Falfurrias, Texas, Mrs. Anna Spore of Newkirk, and Mrs. June Chapek of Valley Center, Kan.

Also four grandchildren, Roger Dale Van Hoy of Houston, Texas, Ronald Gale Van Hoy of Sumner, Wash., Vicki Lynn Van Hoy Webb of Arkansas City, Kan., and Ja’a Surechet Van Hoy of Houston, Texas; seven great-grandchildren Kristen Brooke Van Hoy of Dickinson, Texas, Casey Wayne Webb and Brandi Lee Webb, both of Arkansas City, Kan., Sarah Dawn Van Hoy, Stacey Sue Van Hoy and Jonathan David Van Hoy, all of Seattle, Wash., and Jennifer Marie Hall of Sumner, Wash.

In addition to her husband, Archie, she was preceded in death by one son, Dale Hudson Van Hoy; her parents; and one sister, Eileen Gillham.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Patsy Daniel

NEWKIRK — Patsy Daniel, longtime Newkirk resident, died late Thursday evening , Feb. 18, 1999, at her home. She was 56. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.

Velma C. Fisher

Velma C. Fisher, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday afternoon, Feb. 18, 1999, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 92. Survivors include a son, Dan Fisher of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Howard F. Nicolaysen

Howard F. Nicolaysen, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Feb. 18, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 85. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Gina Padgett

Gina Padgett, Ponca City resident and wife of Ken Padgett, died late Thursday evening, Feb. 18, 1999, at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 31. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home. The family will be at 2120 North Osage Street.

NEWS BRIEFS

Legion Sets Pancake Feed — The American Legion Pancake & Sausage Feed (all the pancakes you can eat) is scheduled for Saturday, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 407 West South Avenue. Cost is $3.50 for adults, $2 for children under 12 and no charge for children under 6. Proceeds go to the American Legion National Disaster Relief Fund. Everyone invited to attend.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Monday, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and

Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Learn About Helpline — Helpline Training Class to begin Feb. 22. Call 765-5551 for more information!

Head Country Saturday night special. All you can eat beef bris-

ket with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $6.95. 4-8 p.m. 1217 East

Prospect. adv.

Don’t Forget! — The Tall Grass Prairie Preserve Slide Show is scheduled here Monday, Feb. 22 with Mary McIntyre, a former Ponca Citian, leading. Time is 7 p.m. at the Ponca City Library. It will be an information program and the public is urged to attend.

Spaghetti Dinner - St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 1904 North Pecan, on February 19, 5-7 p.m. Includes homemade bread, dessert

and drink. Adults $5, Children $2. adv.

Memorial Dinner — A memorial dinner will be held Sunday for Pvt. Raymond B. Estes III. The dinner will be 1 p.m. at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church. His mother, Sonja Brumfield, is from Stillwater, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David Rush, are residents of Ponca City.

Spring Soccer for boys and girls age four and one half and up. Sign up Quatum Computer Service, 312 East Grand, February 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th. Every child must sign up during this

time. Call 762-9056. adv.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Committee — Ponca City Alliance for Youth Teen Pregnancy Prevention Taskforce Committee will meet 7 p.m. Monday in the First Baptist Church Teen PEP room. For additional information, call Michele Jean, 765-2476.

Being Relocated, or in town for a short time? We have homes available by the month or longer. All homes are full furnished with appliances, furniture, linens, pots and pans. Inclusive of cable, local phone, and utilities. Please call 580-762-7980 or 580-718-0681.

adv.

Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Committee — The Ponca City Alliance for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Taskforce Committee will meet 4 p.m. Thursday at the Tracy Young Army Reserve Center, 805 West Hartford. For additional information, call Michele Jean, 765-2476.

Kids Review accepting spring/summer items. Spring open. adv.

Youth School Dropout Rate Committee — The Ponca City Alliance for Youth School Dropout Rate Taskforce Committee will meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lincoln Center, 700 West Broadway. For additional information, call Michele Jean, 765-2476.

Jim Bowen Construction - Custom homes, room additions and remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Accident — The Communications Center received a report at 7:47 a.m. Thursday that an accident had occurred in the parking lot of a business in the 2500 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Ryder Truck Rental is back. Now located at Dempewolf Mini Storage. 2101 North Union, 762-6162. adv.

Stolen Tag — A person at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:52 a.m. Thursday that a tag had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Ponca City High School will present its all-school play, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Friday, February 19, for a community performance. The condensed 2-act version will be presented at Ponca City High School’s Howell Auditorium at 8 p.m. Tickets are

$3.00 and available at the door. Don’t miss this exciting production! adv.

Accident — An accident in the 2200 block of El Camino Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:44 a.m. Thursday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Saturday special 4-8 p.m. All you can eat Beef brisket with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Bicycles Stolen — The Ponca City Police Department received two reports shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday that bicycles had been stolen in two different parts of Ponca City. One was from the 800 block of South Twelfth Street, and the other from the 600 block of West Otoe Avenue. Officers were assigned and reports were taken.

Pauline's Shrimp peel. All you can eat, $11.95, Friday the 19th. For reservations, call 765-5460.adv.

Subject Held — Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 12:36 p.m. Thursday that a 21-year-old man was being held on an Osage County warrant for failure to pay.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th,

765-7979. adv.

Items Missing — An employee of Park and Recreation Department reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:36 p.m. Thursday that park equipment had been stolen from Lake Ponca Shelterhouses. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Juveniles Held — An employee of Wal-Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:08 p.m. Thursday that two girls were being held for shoplifting. An officer was assigned and a 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old girl were held for grand larceny.

Suspicious Activity — A man at Staples, 2216 North Fourteenth Street, requested an officer of the Ponca City Police Department to take a report of embezzlement. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Items Missing — A man from the 1500 block of Bradley Avenue was at the Ponca City Police Department at 1:41 p.m. Thursday to report that some rings had been stolen from Sterling House. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Vehicle Towed — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:16 p.m. Thursday that a vehicle was being towed from the 600 block of South Palm Street for having an improper tag.

Vehicle Burglarized — A woman was at the Ponca City Police Department at 2:29 p.m. Thursday to report that her vehicle had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:59 p.m. Thursday that a 24-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at the intersection of South Fourth Street and East South Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:18 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Item Missing — An employee at North Park IV reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:09 p.m. Thursday that an album had been stolen from the business. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Requests Assistance — Three officials from the Kay County District Attorney’s office requested assistance to serve a search warrant in the 400 block of North Fourteenth Street at 3:29 p.m. Thursday. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department assisted in opening a safe.

Accident — An accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:39 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Assault — An official from the Kay County Sheriff’s Department requested an ambulance in Kaw City to take an assault victim to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 8:17 p.m. Thursday. A Ponca City Fire Department ambulance responded and handled the situation.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 2800 block of North Fourteenth Street at 12:07 a.m. Friday that a 20-year-old woman was being held for DUI, driving under suspension, having no insurance, speeding, and a minor in possession. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Robbery — The Communications Center received a 911 call from a clerk at Jiffy Trip, 3500 block of East U.S. 60 at 5:46 a.m. Friday that two male subjects had just robbed the store at gun point. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded to the scene and the Osage County Sheriff’s Department was contacted to handle the situation.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at E-Z Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:01 p.m. Thursday that a subject had driven off without paying for $5.63 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Westside Neighborhood Meeting — Mayor Tom Leonard will be speaking on “Neighborhood Revitalization” at the Westside Neighborhood meeting Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Center located at 700 West Broadway Avenue.

LIFESTYLES

Mozart Music Club Meeting To Include Festival Showcase

Mozart Music Club Meeting To Include Festival Showcase

Members of the Mozart Music Club will have their third meeting on Feb. 21 in the Cultural Center, 1000 East Grand. This will be a Junior Music Festival Showcase. Those students who are enrolled in the music festival in Primary I, II or III will perform between 2-2:45 p.m. Primary IV and above will perform from 3-3:30 p.m.

All members will have refreshments from 2:45 until 3 p.m. Information for the National Music Week poster contest will be distributed at the meeting. Students from Haydn and Schubert clubs may perform after 3 p.m. according to their festival classification.

Feb. 27 is the date for the Junior Music Festival which will be held in Ponca City for the fifth time at the First Baptist and First Methodist churches. The final meeting will be April 11 and will highlight various types of ensembles as well as solos.

Families are always welcome to attend Mozart Club meetings, which are an opportunity to see and hear many students perform.

If you have questions about Mozart Music Club or the Junior Music Festival, call Suzi Lenhart at 762-9895.

RELIGION

Citians Invited To Non-Smoking Clinic Feb. 25
World Day of Prayer Set Friday, March 5
POP Lutherans Set Lenten Services
FUMC Celebrates Women's Day
1st Lutherans Set Lenten Plans for Sunday

Citians Invited To Non-Smoking Clinic Feb. 25

The Ponca City Foursquare Church announces the Freedom From Smoking clinic beginning Thursday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. The American Lung Association has been helping smokers for many years, and now offer the latest information on how to quit and stay quit.

A “Thinking About Quitting” session will be held at the Ponca City Foursquare Church, 700 West Broadway (access to parking lot on Chestnut). The clinic will meet in the Adult Chapel. Interested parties can register at this session, or by calling the church office at (580)762-2729.

Freedom From Smoking is an eight session stop-smoking clinic sponsored by the Ponca City Foursquare Church and the American Lung Association. Professionally trained instructors help smokers create a supportive environment to break the smoking addiction. Each smoker who joins this clinic will develop an individual plan for quitting.

In the clinic, the emphasis will be on long-term freedom from smoking. The ex-smokers will identify the pitfalls of relapse, and carefully plan to prevent it. The clinic includes the latest improved skills for good stress management, weight control, assertive communication and exercise — skills to help them succeed.

During the Freedom From Smoking clinic, the instructors will teach a step-by-step method of changing behavior and quitting smoking. This group approach uses positive thinking, alternative behaviors, one-on-one help, rewards and group support to help participants stop smoking.

World Day of Prayer Set Friday, March 5

Church Women United World of Prayer service on Friday, March 5 at 9:340 a.m. will feature singers from the Hispanic Baptist Church in Ponca City — Catalina Rubio, Josefina Conchose and Marisela Hernandez. The service will be held at the Asbury United Methodist Church.

Christians in over 170 countries around the world will gather on Friday, March 5, in observance of the 1999 World Day of Prayer Service. Begun in 1887 by Presbyterian laywoman Mary Ellen James, World Day of Prayer brings together women of various races, cultures, and Christian traditions in informed prayer and prayerful action. Since 1941, World Day of Prayer has been sponsored in the United States by Church Women United, a grassroots ecumenical movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women.

This year’s service, written by Christian women of Venezuela, focuses on the theme, “God’s Tender Touch,” and celebrates the gift of God’s love. The writers of the service give thanks for the abundance of natural resources in their native country, while challenging the global community to become more aware of the needs that still exist among Venezuela’s poor. On World Day of Prayer, we are invited by Venezuelan Christians to pray for a radical transformation of society that will reflect more fully God’s redemptive grace, compassion and shalom.

Audrey Jones, President of Asbury United Methodist Women, is in charge of the program and will be assisted by members of the UMW and Asbury’s Pastor, the Rev. Steve Bredesen. Ladies from the Hispanic Baptist Church in Ponca City will sing. The local service will begin with coffee at 9:30 a.m., followed by the worship service at 10 a.m.

Asbury United Methodist at 700 West Liberty is wheelchair accessible.

Offerings received on World Day of Prayer help support Church Women United’s ecumenical ministries toward justice and peace for all persons, it was noted by Jones.

POP Lutherans Set Lenten Services

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 Turner, will conduct Lenten services beginning Wednesday, Feb. 23. A soup supper precedes the service at 6 p.m. The worship, “By My Hand, For My Sake!” will be focusing on monologues by biblical characters, according to Pastor Keck. Everyone is invited to attend to help prepare hearts for the Easter celebration, he emphasized.

The Boys Klub, a men’s fellowship and breakfast meeting, will be at the church on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 8 to 9 a.m. All men are invited to attend. Workday will follow at 9 a.m. and lots of volunteers are needed to help start the spring cleaning projects.

Women’s Bible study gathers on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m. at the Renaissance. All women are encouraged to attend.

Jesus Little Sprouts will meet on Wednesday of each week from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the church. This group is for children in grades 1 through 6.

Jesus Little Seeds for children nursery age through kindergarten will meet Friday, Feb. 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Children may bring a friend. For more information, call Tammy at 767-1648 or Lou Anne at 767-1175.

The Sunday worship service is held at 10 a.m. with Sunday School classes for children from 3 years old. The adults gather at 9 a.m. Pastor Keck is available for pastoral care calls at the church office, 762-7698.

FUMC Celebrates Women's Day

First United Methodist Church will be celebrating United Methodist Women’s Day at both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Guest speaker for the occasion will be Ginger LaCroix, an accomplished storyteller, and a native of Enid. The public is invited to hear Ginger give her message from Exodus 33, “The Glory of God.”

She has been telling stories for more than 25 years. She is a member of Territory Tellers, an Oklahoma association of storytellers and listeners, and of NAPPS, the National Association for the Preservation and perpetuation of Storytelling.

Born, raised and educated in Enid, she graduated from Enid High School, and from Phillips University with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. She worked eight years with developmentally disabled children and adults at the Enid State School.

LaCroix has been active in Community Theatre, both in Enid, and in her current community of Yukon. She serves on the Board of the Mabel Fry Library in Yukon, and is active in Christian Education at the Town & Country Christian Church in Yukon.

She tells folk tales, tall tales, legends, modern stories, Oklahoma pioneer stories, patriotic stories, holiday stories, Biblical stories, and stories from the Depression and the Dust Bowl.

She has told stories in all sorts of places, and her audiences have ranged from pre-school to senior groups. She melds her backgrounds of community theatre and education in performances which entertain, educate, and captivate her audiences, and is committeed to the belief that storytelling is the most powerful and effective of all the teaching tools.

The public is invited to join with the First Methodist congregation for this special morning of worship.

1st Lutherans Set Lenten Plans for Sunday

Sunday, Feb. 21 marks the first Sunday in Lent at First Lutheran Church.

The seasonal worship theme which begins this Sunday is “Partners in the Pilgrimage.” At both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services worshipers will hear Pastor Tom Ramsey preach on “Spittin’ Images of Our parents.” His text is the Old Testament reading from Genesis which relates the story of how God created humankind and of the fall into sin.

The other Scripture readings describe the consequences of the fall and the hope created by the obedience, suffering, and death of Jesus. Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services.

Daffodil Sunday will also be celebrated on Feb. 21. This is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. A bundle of ten daffodils represent a donation of $5 to the Society. On Sunday there will be 980 daffodils on display in the chancel of the church, reflecting the generous giving of the members.

A special Voters Assembly will be held on Sunday at noon. The purpose of the meeting is to approve the job description for a Youth Minister as formulated by the Board of Youth Ministries. Upon approval, the congregation will authorize a call committee to search for a person to fill that position. All members eighteen years of age or older are eligible to vote. All are encouraged to attend this important meeting.

EDUCATION

Regents Announce Plan To Build Intellectual Power
Horticulture Students Gain New Experiences at PTC
PC News Opens World to Kids
PC Education Committee Holds February Meeting
Local Students Receive OSU Student Teaching Assignments
Special Meeting Held
OBU Honor Roll
Academic Honors
Scholarship Winner
Magnus Makes Honor Roll
Harding Honor Roll
Fashion Show Slated at Po-Hi for Feb. 22

Regents Announce Plan To Build Intellectual Power

OKLAHOMA CITY — Noting that Oklahoma’s future prosperity rests more on its intellectual capital than on any other factor, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved an aggressive plan to increase the proportion of Oklahomans holding a bachelor’s degree from 20 to 28 percent by 2010.

The plan also calls for growing Oklahoma’s proportion of associate degree holders from 5 to 10 percent.

Regents said they are undertaking the plan, called “Brain Gain 2010: Building Oklahoma Through Intellectual Power,” in an effort to help move Oklahoma from the bottom to the top one-third of all states for its educational and economic performance. Essentially, the plan would place Oklahoma slightly ahead of the projected national average for degree attainment.

“National figures show that states with the greatest economic success have the highest percentages of college-educated citizens,” said Chancellor Hans Brisch. “Oklahoma currently ranks in the bottom one-third of all states for the educational attainment of its citizens, and, consequently, for its economic performance.”

“Although Oklahoma has made some progress in recent years to increase the educational attainment of its citizens, the state is not keeping pace with increases nationally,” Brisch added, noting that the proportion of Oklahomans who held associate degrees or higher increased 2.3 percentage points from 1990 to 1996, compared to 4.3 percentage points nationally.

“If Oklahoma is to secure a place in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century, the state must build its intellectual power,’ Brisch said.

Regents reported that most current data show 20.1 percent of Oklahoma’s population age 25 and older held a bachelor’s degree or higher in 1996, while 5.0 percent held an associate degree. Nationally, 23.6 percent held bachelor’s degrees or higher and 7.2 percent held associate degrees.

To meet the projected national average by 2010, Oklahoma will need to double its expected growth rate of college degree holders.

At the bachelor’s degree level, that means Oklahoma will need to add 203,000 degree holders to its population, 94,000 more than what is projected at Oklahoma’s current rate of growth. At the associate degree level, Oklahoma will need to add 140,000 degree holders, 70,000 more than what is projected.

Regents will seek to add more college degree holders to the state’s population by focusing on three areas — increasing the proportion of Oklahomans who earn a college degree, keeping more Oklahoma graduates in the state and attracting college degree holders from outside the state.

Increasing Numbers

To increase the number of Oklahomans earning a college degree, “Brain Gain 2010” focuses on increasing the number of students who go to college directly from high school and improving Oklahoma college and university graduation rates.

“As part of this effort, the State Regents will focus on helping high school students better prepare for college, both academically and financially, and ensuring that once students get to college, they have the support they need to stay in school and complete a degree,” Brisch said.

Under the plan, Regents will also work with other state leaders to develop and implement strategies to keep more Oklahoma college graduates in the state and ensure they are appropriately employed.

“A recent Oklahoma employment report shows that the majority of our college and university graduates are staying in the state to work.

However, bachelor degree holders who prepared for high-demand, high-paying jobs in areas such as communications technology, computer science and engineering are among those least likely to stay in the state,” said State Regents Chairman John Massey.

As a foundation for this effort, Regents will refine their annual employment outcomes report so that state leaders can examine more closely which college and university programs are producing graduates that stay in Oklahoma and which are producing graduates that leave.

College Degree Holders

“Brain Gain 2010” also calls for the State Regents to work with other state leaders to develop strategies to attract college degree holders from other states.

“For decades, Oklahoma higher education has recruited faculty and top administrators from around the nation, bringing hundreds of advanced degree holders to the state every year. In addition, Regents award individuals coming to Oklahoma to work full-time, as well as their families, with immediate residency status, allowing them to participate in higher education opportunities at in-state costs,” Brisch said.

“The Regents look forward to working with other state leaders to build on these initiatives and develop the additional strategies needed to attract more college degree holders from outside the state,” Brisch said.

Regents noted that higher education’s state funds request for FY2000 includes $7.5 million to implement the first year of the plan. The plan’s long-term financial impact will be determined after Regents have an opportunity to work with other state leaders to develop additional strategies for keeping more graduates in the state and attracting degree holders from other states. Regents also announced that they would be seeking federal funding for some of the plan’s initiatives.

Horticulture Students Gain New Experiences at PTC

Did you ever have a plant that was so beautiful or so unique that you wished you had hundreds or thousands of them? The Horticulture students at Pioneer Technology Center are learning about a technique that can do just that.

Horticulture instructor, Joelle Moman, planned a tissue culture activity for her students using an African violet.

“This technique basically consists of taking a piece of a plant and maintaining it in a sterile, nutrient medium where it will begin multiplying,” said Moman.

Before beginning the activity, Moman used handouts and lectures to explain exactly what tissue culture is and the procedure the class would be using. Moman explained to the class that, “Tissue culture is based on the theory of totipotency; that is the genetically based ability of a nonembryonic organ or cell to develop along a pathway, similar to that of a zygote, leading to the formation of a new entire plant identical to the original.”

The classroom activity took students through the four stages of plant tissue culture.

Stage I: taking the plant from in vivo (Life) to in vitro (glass). Stage II: the multiplication stage where the emplant undergoes rapid tissue or shoot multiplication. The process is repeated several times depending upon how many plants are ultimately desired. Stage III: is the rooting stage to induce root formation. Stage IV: is the actual transfer of the plants to a potting medium.

Moman also discussed in depth how tissue culture is being used in both research and commercial applications. The process not only provides a method of mass propagation, but also makes possible the production of disease-free plants, mutants, and secondary plant products.

Throughout the school year, the horticulture students have studied plant propagation, procedures and requirements of maintaining the school greenhouse, and growing poinsettias during the holidays.

The horticulture students will also be having a “Make Your Own Chee-a-Head” activity during Pioneer Tech’s 25th anniversary celebration on March 7.

PC News Opens World to Kids

Ponca City teachers and parents are accustomed to hearing their students discuss current issue intelligently. That’s because Ponca City News helps our young people learn and understand educationally significant news through our NewsCurrents Newspaper in Education Program.

Newspaper in Education programs are receiving special attention during Newspaper in Education Week. This year’s NIE Week is March 1-5. The Newspaper Association of America recognizes NIE Week as a time when schools and newspapers focus attention on the value of the newspaper as an educational resource.

This year’s NIE theme is “Newspapers maintain your brain.” Ponca City News provides the NewsCurrent NIE Program to several schools in our community to do just that. Each week, these schools receive NewsCurrents, a revolutionary current events program that takes an in-depth look at the week’s most important news stories. An accompanying teacher’s discussion guide is written on three comprehension levels, enabling students in grades three through 12 to participate in informed current events sessions.

NewsCurrents is published by Knowledge Unlimited, Inc., which is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information about the NewsCurrents NIE Program, contact Kevin Kregger at 765-3311.

PC Education Committee Holds February Meeting

The regular monthly meeting of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Education Committee was held Feb. 2 at the Ponca City Tomorrow office.

Those attending were Ann Bandy, Richard Dale, Sally Downey, Cathy Ferguson, Sandy James, Pat Keast, Abbey Mar, Pat Morris, Andrea Morriss, Craig Myers, Ron Myers, Keni Ray, David Shelton and Bill White.

Several PIE (Partner in Education) updates were heard. Principal David Shelton of Lincoln reported that ONG and Evans and Associates had donated goody sacks to each student and faculty member during Christmas. He also mentioned that both businesses are helping with tutoring.

Principal Richard Dale of the Mid-High reported that the school has plans to ask Lowe’s for tutors for their at-risk program. From Liberty, Ron Myers reported that Sykes had purchased T-shirts for a Christmas play. He also noted that a group from Conoco’s Printing Department provides computer training.

Keni Ray reported that Conoco has about 12 employees a month that read with the Garfield children and then have lunch with the students. Pat Keast, principal of Washington, said that the teachers have completed schedules for each students who needs a tutor.

Buy for Less supplied all the food for a two-week basketball tournament at Woodlands. The school provides Buy for Less with a plaque as a thank you. It was also reported that Rotary has 15 tutors, some that are attending weekly.

New Business

Ann Bandy reported that there have been six meetings held that stemmed from the Youth Summit and at each meeting there was at least one school board member present.

Craig Myers mentioned that the Chamber is sending out a letter to the local legislation and that letter included asking for their support of the Science and Math Center. He noted that he would like the Education Committee to be active in informing the Chamber about what the schools need, especially with the budget cuts taking place.

Dr. White reported on legislation that revolves around charter schools. He also mentioned that there is some debate still on whether the schools would be state or locally controlled.

The next meeting will be on March 2 at 11:45 a.m. An item for next month will be the new legislation for random drug testing of 6-12 grade students.

Local Students Receive OSU Student Teaching Assignments

STILLWATER — Jamie Epperson, Whitney Edens, Amber Long, Terri Stephenson and David Ritter, all graduates of Ponca City High School, are among 267 students who have received student teaching assignments for the spring semester from the College of Education at Oklahoma State University.

Epperson, a social studies education major, has been assigned to Cimarron Middle School in Edmond where she is working with teacher Raelynn Morrow. Epperson is the daughter of Bill and Linda Epperson.

Edens, a business education major, has been assigned to Pioneer Technology Center where she is working with teacher Arlene Stauffer. Edens is the daughter of Bill and Elaine McDonald of Ponca City and Dutch and Linda Bufford of Tonkawa.

Long, an elementary education major, has been assigned to a fifth grade class at John Ross Elementary School in Edmond. She is working with teacher Joyce Keel and is the daughter of Terry L. and Phyllis Long.

Ritter, a music education major, has been assigned to Union Elementary School for the first half of the semester, where he is working with Nancy Taylor, and the Ponca City High School for the second half of the semester, where he will work with Cynthia Gass. He is the son of Al and Delores Ritter.

“Higher standards and more quality field experience are a hallmark for all students who will be completing their student teaching experiences,” said Robert Knaub, coordinator of Field Relations in the OSU Office of Teacher Education. “The quality of students entering into professional education continues to rise with the increased state and national standards.”

The student teaching experience is 12 to 14 weeks in length, depending upon the subject area.

Special Meeting Held

A special meeting for the Ponca City Board of Education will be held Feb. 23 at noon. Don Nuzum, new board member, and Marvin Clark, reelected board member, will both take the Oath of Office after being elected on Feb. 9 at the annual school elections.

Outgoing member Andrea Morriss will be recognized and honored at the March 8 board meeting.

School News

OBU Honor Roll

Several local students have been named to the honor roll at Oklahoma Baptist University. Those students on the President’s Honor Roll include Holly Long, Christina Cooper, Julia Ann Nigh, Jonathan Peck, Kerri White, Kyle Vincent and James Williams. Those on the Dean’s Honor Roll are Sarah Anno, Marci Spore and Kathy Cripps.

Academic Honors

Mary Deming, daughter of Doug and Marilyn Deming, has been named to the honor roll for the fall semester year from Oklahoma Christian University.

Scholarship Winner

Jonathan Danek of Ponca City has been selected to receive a Presidential Scholarship Award from Concordia University in Nebraska. He is the son of David and Cherye Danek.

Magnus Makes Honor Roll

Shane Magnus was named to the Vice President’s Honor Roll for the fall semester from Oklahoma City Community College.

Harding Honor Roll

Jeremy Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clay Anderson, and Michael Wright, son of Mrs. Jo Ivis, were both named to the Dean’s Honor Roll from Harding University.

Fashion Show Slated at Po-Hi for Feb. 22

The Ponca City High School Marketing and Fashion Merchandising class will present their fashion show, “Steppin’ Out in Style,” on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Howell Auditorium.

The cost is $3 for adults and $1.50 for students. Tickets may be purchased from any marketing/fashion merchandising student or at the door.

The students have been working long and hard in and out of class to try to make this show the best ever.

They have been calling businesses, communicating with people around the community and arranging rehearsal times to get everything ready for Monday evening.

There will be approximately 60 students in the show. Stores from Ponca City participating in the event are The Buckle, J.C. Penney, John’s Apparel, K-Mart, Maurice’s, McVay’s, PC Sports Shack and Stage.

“I am a little nervous, but I think that it is a good way for people who do not always participate in student activities to get involved,” said model Tessa Petersen.

The public is invited to attend.

SPORTS

Mavs in Hunt For West Title
Cagers To Face Final Frontier Foe
Lady Mavs Miss Their Chance

Mavs in Hunt For West Title

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

TONKAWA — The Mavericks of NOC remained in the hunt for the Bi-State West crown, powering past the Western State Pioneers, 84-56, Thursday.

The Mavs, now 6-2 in conference, take on 1-7 Murray State on Sunday, and complete the regular season on the road against 7-1 Seminole, Wednesday, in what could prove to be a battle for first place in the district.

Thursday, 6-5 Ryan Williams and 6-8 Ron Banks put on a 2-point shooting clinic, combining for 20-of-22 shots in the paint to lead the Mavs with 23 and 20 points, respectively.

Banks had 12 points in the first half and eight in the first eight minutes, as the Mavs raced to a 29-4 lead. Tyler Barnard then came off the bench to bury back-to-back 3-pointers, and Banks chipped in two more shots under the hoop to up the ante to 28, 39-11, with five minutes left in the half.

“I thought our intensity in the first 13 or 14 minutes was pretty good,” said coach Mick Weiberg. “We got them out of sync right away. Western is one of those teams that liable to come out and hit 5-of-7 — had that happened you’d have a different ball game.”

The Pioneers, who got 14 points from 6-5 Corey Wells, went on a 10-0 run before the buzzer against a medley of NOC players, but a 39-21 halftime lead for the Mavs seemed conclusive.

“We let up a little with our substitutions,” Weiberg explained. “We started bobbling the basketball, and making some turnovers. And Western will find the time to make a run. When they’re doing things right, they’re tough.”

Point guard Josh Regnier, who finished with 18 points, opened the second half by banging down consecutive 3-pointers. At the 14-minute mark, however, the Mavs hit a 4-minute dry spell in which 5-5 Pioneer Edmund Swinton nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to give Western their narrowest deficit of the game, 53-40.

The Mavs reignited in the fourth quarter, however, pulling away with a 15-0 run. Williams dumped in 16 points in the final period, picked up a pair of offensive rebounds, and completed his scoring outburst with a reverse slam-dunk.

That slam also gave the Mavs their biggest lead of the game, 78-44, with three minutes left in regulation.

To Weiberg, the win — coming on the heels of a double overtime loss to Eastern — was encouraging.

“We could have been devastated after that loss,” he says. “But we didn’t lay down; we went after them. That’s the kind of growth we need on this team.”

Jeff Newby and Barnard had 6 each, Sherman Rochell and Latarvis Norman had 4 each, Nathan Gregory had 2, while Larry Reid had 1.

Weiberg acknowledged the play of Sherman Rochell as being significant in the game.

“He doesn’t have a lot of points, but he does many things that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” he says. “He’s got the big reach, and the big body, and he does a lot of things on defense.”

The Mavs finished an impressive 59 percent (36-of-62) from the field, including 27-of-35 from 2-point range. The Pioneers were 20-of-51, for 39 percent. The Mavs also outrebounded their foes 38-24, and had 18 turnovers to Western’s 20.

Johnnie Brunson had 13 for the Pioneers, while Swinton and Danzie Cummings had 13. Only 8 players suited up for the Pioneers.

The Mavs will take on Murray State, Sunday, at 4. It will also be parent’s night, with a autograph party held after the game.

Cagers To Face Final Frontier Foe

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

Like all good things — and some bad things — basketball must come to an end.

Tonight, the Po-Hi cagers will close out their long and rather frustrating regular season, traveling to Stillwater.

The Pioneers are 7-8 (11-10 overall) and are currently on a 3-game win streak. The Lady Pioneers are 7-8 (9-10 overall). Both teams came out victorious over Bartlesville, Tuesday, and will be celebrating senior night, tonight.

The boys will tip off at 6:15, while the Lady Cats will begin at 7:45. WBBZ’s Phil Turney will be covering the wrestling regional, in Tulsa, so plan to drive down. Or, if you have to listen, KSPI, 93.7 FM in Stillwater, will be covering the game — albeit from a Pioneer perspective.

Regional play will start next week, on Thursday.

P.C. Wildcats (3-12, 5-16)

at Stillwater Pioneers (7-8, 11-10)

The Pioneers are currently one of the hottest teams in the Frontier Conference. They toppled No. 3 ranked Sapulpa two weeks ago, and followed that with big defensive wins over Broken Arrow and Bartlesville.

In their last two wins, the Pioneers held the Tigers and the Bruins to 25 and 33 points, respectively, and gave up just nine points to Bartlesville in the first half. Not surprisingly, the Pioneers are leading the league in defense, at 45.8 points per game.

It’s that kind of threat that worries Ponca City coach Ron Arthur. The Cats have been weak on the scoring end lately, and with another sub-30 percent shooting effort...

“...they’ll blow us out of the gym,” says Arthur. “They (win) through a combination of tough, in-your-face defense, and poor shooting by the other team.”

To get points, Arthur says, the Cats will have to turn the Pioneers’ game plan upside-down.

“We have to take advantage of their pressure and quickness to get the back door shots, the easy shots. We’ll have to take the wind out of their sails.”

If there’s one thing the Cats do have, it’s a 3-game winning streak over the Pioneers, dating back to the second game of last season.

In the second game of this season, the Cats edged the Pioneers by one point, 69-68, on a 17-foot jump shot by Jeff Furnas, at the buzzer. A balanced scoring attack led to that win, as Blake Geubelle had 13 points, Furnas 12, Paul Broome 11, and Nathan Zimmerman 10.

The Pioneers got 21 points from deadly outside shooter Nick Graham, and 16 from Brian Carter. Carter has been hot lately, scoring 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting against Bartlesville, Tuesday. Graham averages 13.2 ppg, while Hobbs averages slightly less, at 13.1 ppg.

Also, this game should be a battle of equal but opposite. The Cats are third in offense but last in defense, while the Pioneers are second to last in offense and first in defense.

Go figure.

P.C. Lady Wildcats (3-12, 6-15)

at Stillwater Lady Pioneers (7-8, 9-10)

The Lady Pioneers ended a 4-game losing streak on Tuesday, pounding Bartlesville, 59-43. They had also lost 7-of-8 going into that game.

Still, the Lady Pioneers remain tied for fourth place in conference play, and contain the most prolific scorer in the league, Shelby Hutchens.

Hutchens poured in 28 points — 22 in the second half — in Tuesday’s win.

The last time these two teams met, in the second game of the season, Hutchens was on fire, too, dumping in 31 points in a 61-40 Stillwater win.

Hutchens leads the scoring chart with 17.5 points per game, and is the only Stillwater player on the list. Last time around, Shelby’s sister Hallie had 10 points, while six other players also scored.

The Lady Cats also had 28 turnovers — a result of the Lady Pioneers vicious, full-court pressure.

Due to some impressive play in five of their last six games, the Lady Cats also moved out of the conference basement in both the offensive and defensive standings. Stillwater is third to last in defense, but fourth in offense.

Lady Mavs Miss Their Chance

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

TONKAWA — The Lady Mavericks of NOC missed a chance to lock up the No. 2 spot in the Bi-State West, falling to the Western State Lady Pioneers, 75-65, Thursday.

The Lady Mavs, now 5-3 in conference and tied for second place with Eastern, will take on 2-5 Murray State on Sunday, at 4. Wednesday, they’ll travel to undefeated Seminole to close out the regular season.

Thursday, the Lady Mavericks fell behind early and never recovered. Poor shooting made the difference in the game, as open shots at the hoop rolled in and out, or missed the rim all together.

“I can’t explain it,” said coach Greg Krause, who estimated his team’s field-percentage to be in the low-30’s. “We’re going to the playoffs — that’s not at issue — but you like to stay in control of your situation. Our (seeding) is in other people’s hands now; or, we’re going to have to beat Seminole, in Seminole.”

Western got the opening 2-points, and never trailed in Thursday’s game. Marisella Flores poured in 25 points for the Lady Pioneers, including six straight in the second quarter to give Western a 5-point lead, 26-21.

LaTonya Douglas, who had 11 points for the Lady Mavs, nailed a 3-pointer from there, and after a back-and-forth struggle, the Lady Pioneers closed out the half by hitting 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

At halftime, the Lady Pioneers had the edge, 35-29.

“They’re dribble penetration was hurting us,” said Krause. “We didn’t get on them, and break them down. And our weak side help wasn’t there, at times.”

The opening of the second half likely broke the Lady Mavs’ back, as a trio of 3-pointers from three different Western players upped the Lady Pioneers’ ante to 14, 44-30.

A 2-point bucket from Kacey Whitworth sparked a 10-1 NOC run from there, as good inside play from Jessica Garner and Suzi Eisenhauer pulled the Lady Mavs back to within five, 45-40. Good defense also made that run possible, as the Lady Pioneers were forced into a shot-clock violation, and Douglas nabbed a steal.

The Lady Mavs could get no closer than five for the rest of the game, and fell behind by as much as 16, 67-51, with 4:25 left to play. Whitworth and Douglas hit consecutive 3-pointers to narrow the gap back to 10, but the double-digit deficit proved too much to overcome.

“We played one of our best games at Crowder (Saturday), and I thought we’d come in here and finish strong,” said Krause. “We talked about this game, about how big it was. I don’t know what happened.”

Chenise Robinson led the Lady Mavs with 13 points, Whitworth had 9, Jennifer Williams and Eisenhauer had 8 each, Garner had 6, Erica Metcalf had 4, while Lyndsey Warrior had 2.

Lee Ann Hill had 22 for the Lady Pioneers, Ashley Louthan had 18 , while Christi Chavez had 17.

The Lady Mavs will take on Murray State on Sunday, at 2. It will also be parents’ day, with an autograph party held after the mens’ game, which starts at 4.